Virginia Atheists Discussions - Atheist Nexus2016-12-10T01:32:33Zhttp://atheistnexus.org/group/virginiaatheists/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noVirginia General Assembly committee endorses pro-prayer Bill of Rights amendmenttag:atheistnexus.org,2013-01-31:2182797:Topic:21551172013-01-31T16:46:49.833ZJosh Karpfhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/JoshKarpf
<h1><span class="entry-title">Va. panel Oks measure to allow prayer, religious activities in all public places</span></h1>
<h3>By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/fredrick-kunkle/2012/11/06/ae6b027c-282e-11e2-96b6-8e6a7524553f_page.html" rel="author">Fredrick Kunkle</a></span></span></h3>
<h3><span class="timestamp updated processed">January 29, 2013…<br></br></span></h3>
<p></p>
<h1><span class="entry-title">Va. panel Oks measure to allow prayer, religious activities in all public places</span></h1>
<h3>By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/fredrick-kunkle/2012/11/06/ae6b027c-282e-11e2-96b6-8e6a7524553f_page.html" rel="author">Fredrick Kunkle</a></span></span></h3>
<h3><span class="timestamp updated processed">January 29, 2013<br/></span></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-politics/va-panel-oks-measure-to-allow-prayer-religious-activities-in-all-public-places/2013/01/29/674a7d04-6a6f-11e2-95b3-272d604a10a3_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-politics/va-panel-oks-measure-to-allow-prayer-religious-activities-in-all-public-places/2013/01/29/674a7d04-6a6f-11e2-95b3-272d604a10a3_story.html</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>RICHMOND — A Senate committee in the Virginia General Assembly on Tuesday narrowly endorsed a measure to amend the state’s Bill of Rights to require all public places and schools to accommodate prayer or other religious activity and allow students to be dismissed from assignments or presentations that conflict with their religious beliefs.</p>
<p>The resolution — sponsored by Republican Sens. William M. Stanley, Jr. (Franklin) and Charles W. “Bill” Carrico (Grayson) — would guarantee public officials, students and others the right to conduct religious activities as long as they were not disruptive and no one was coerced to participate.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Stanley told the panel that the measure was intended to ensure that people of all religions would not be penalized for exercising their right to religious beliefs. To illustrate, he said that a Muslim high school student could ask to be excused from dissecting a fetal pig in biology class, because their religion views those animals as unclean, without affecting his or her grades.</p>
<p>“All religions are under attack,” Stanley said. “People of faith are under attack.” . . .</p> Which atheist blogs, podcasts, websites do you like?tag:atheistnexus.org,2011-06-08:2182797:Topic:13299192011-06-08T08:50:54.852ZMikeChttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/MikeClemens
<p>I have the About.com.atheism headlines among others on MyYahoo home page, and occasionally comment on the forums. I quite like The Friendly atheist's blog.</p>
<p>I sometimes watch debates on YouTube, lectures given by the horsemen, or my personal favorite, Neil "There's no tradition of scientists knocking down the Sunday school door, telling the preacher, 'That <em>might</em> not <em>necessarily</em> be true'" deGrasse Tyson.</p>
<p>I watch/listen to the web rebroadcasts of The atheist…</p>
<p>I have the About.com.atheism headlines among others on MyYahoo home page, and occasionally comment on the forums. I quite like The Friendly atheist's blog.</p>
<p>I sometimes watch debates on YouTube, lectures given by the horsemen, or my personal favorite, Neil "There's no tradition of scientists knocking
down the Sunday school door, telling the preacher, 'That <em>might</em> not <em>necessarily</em> be true'" deGrasse Tyson.</p>
<p>I watch/listen to the web rebroadcasts of The atheist Experience, The Non-Prophets, and I recently discovered Freethought Rhode Island.</p>
<p>Is there anything like this in Virginia?</p>
<p>What do you all like and recommend?</p> Looking for a few good Northern Virginia Atheiststag:atheistnexus.org,2011-06-05:2182797:Topic:13210562011-06-05T06:18:31.638ZDr. Ronald (Ron) Slaughterhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/RonaldSlaughter
<p>Hello all!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am new to the Virginia Atheists group. So first and foremost I do not want to appear to be leaving anyone of my brother and sister Virginian's out...I am certainly not trying to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, since I live in the Northern Virginia area I was wondering if anyone else in the Virginia Atheists group is in the NOVA area and if there are any local "active" groups.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If there are any groups that are currently meeting on a regular basis I would…</p>
<p>Hello all!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am new to the Virginia Atheists group. So first and foremost I do not want to appear to be leaving anyone of my brother and sister Virginian's out...I am certainly not trying to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, since I live in the Northern Virginia area I was wondering if anyone else in the Virginia Atheists group is in the NOVA area and if there are any local "active" groups.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If there are any groups that are currently meeting on a regular basis I would appreciate any contact/meeting information available.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Additionally, if any of you in the NOVA area have been toying with the idea of getting a group started I would be more than happy to hear from you and assist in any way that I can to bring it to fruition.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thank you all,</p>
<p>Ron</p> Yes Virginia, there are no gods.tag:atheistnexus.org,2009-12-22:2182797:Topic:6580392009-12-22T04:59:18.116ZIt's just Matthttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/MatthewLee
I'm a little late in posting this, but I am glad to see some signs coming to our state!<br />
<br />
"At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail.<br />
There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.<br />
There is only our natural world.<br />
Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ffrf.org/news/2009/loudounco.php">http://www.ffrf.org/news/2009/loudounco.php</a><br />
<br />
And if you can stomach a Faux News talking piece:…
I'm a little late in posting this, but I am glad to see some signs coming to our state!<br />
<br />
"At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail.<br />
There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.<br />
There is only our natural world.<br />
Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ffrf.org/news/2009/loudounco.php">http://www.ffrf.org/news/2009/loudounco.php</a><br />
<br />
And if you can stomach a Faux News talking piece: <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/12718261/tis-the-season">http://video.foxnews.com/12718261/tis-the-season</a><br />
<br />
"No one cares about the Solstice, they only care about it now cause of...oh yeah Christmas" What a nasty little vermin she is and ignorant of history too. The Million Dollar Questiontag:atheistnexus.org,2009-10-26:2182797:Topic:5710262009-10-26T20:37:50.904ZAidenhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Aiden
Just a quick note: this is going to be cross-posted to a few different groups here on A|N due to possible shared-interest.<br />
<br />
I don’t often attend local high school football games, but this was the homecoming game for the school where my wife teaches and our adopted-daughter is a senior. On our way from the parking lot to the gate, we noticed a rather manic street preacher standing atop a makeshift podium/soap-box and there was another guy standing slightly behind him and to his left with a small…
Just a quick note: this is going to be cross-posted to a few different groups here on A|N due to possible shared-interest.<br />
<br />
I don’t often attend local high school football games, but this was the homecoming game for the school where my wife teaches and our adopted-daughter is a senior. On our way from the parking lot to the gate, we noticed a rather manic street preacher standing atop a makeshift podium/soap-box and there was another guy standing slightly behind him and to his left with a small video camera pointed at the people lined up for the game. No one seemed to be paying him very much attention as he rambled on about Jesus and the dangers of the music these kids listen to and apathy and some other non-sense that I was in no mood to even absorb so that I may regurgitate here for your reading pleasure. I’m kind of kicking myself for this now, because I wish I had paid more attention and I might have noticed who it was that handed me the small slip of paper (a $1,000,000 bill with Grant’s portrait) that I had mistakenly assumed was a coupon for a local restaurant, or something to that effect, which I took as it was put out in front of me and I slipped it into my pocket so I could look at it later (hoping it was for a restaurant where I actually like to eat). I didn’t know that the people handing out these pieces of paper were actually cohorts of the aforementioned maniacal preacher.<br />
<br />
Once I returned home and found that slip of paper still in my pocket, I pulled it out and flipped it over from the Grant side to find “Here’s the Million Dollar Question…” written in small, bold lettering, followed by “<b>Are you good enough to go to Heaven?</b>” Before I could even read any further, I exclaimed with great annoyance, “What the fuck?!” and my mind immediately turned to the recent stories about the high school cheerleaders with religious signs at the school’s football games, and other stories about City Council prayers and the FFRF’s effort to squash these pests. Normally, I am not a very confrontational person, but I found this to be in very bad taste and would have liked to point it out to the people handing these things out.<br />
<br />
To make a longer story short, two web sites are listed on this piece of paper:<br />
<a href="http://www.onemilliontracts.com/" target="_blank">www.OneMillionTracts.com</a> which has a bunch of Ray Comfort books for sale…<br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.eastcoastevangelism.com/" target="_blank">www.EastCoastEvangelism.com</a> whose front page features a video about a “former lesbian saved by grace through faith for the glory of God” among other equally asinine assaults on human intellect…<br />
<br />
This would be easier if I had access to a scanner right now, but there’s some stupid stuff on the front which I found annoyingly funny. In place of the serial number normally found on US currency, it says <b>JN 316RU4GOD</b>. Under and illegible signature, it says “<b>Department of Eternal Affairs</b>”.<br />
<br />
For anyone who is interested, here is the full text (verbatim) of the evangelical propaganda I received:<br />
<br />
<b>Here’s the Million Dollar Question…</b> Are you good enough to go to Heaven? Let’s see if you are a good person. Have you ever told a lie? White lies, fibs, and exaggerations are all considered lies to God. If you have, then you are a liar. Have you ever stolen anything (the value doesn’t matter)? If you have, then you are a thief. Have you ever murdered anybody? The Bible says <b>“Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).</b> Have you ever hated anybody? If so, then God sees you as a murderer. On the Day of Judgment, will you be innocent or guilty? If you are reasonable, you will see that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. The good news is that’s not God’s will. Picture yourself in a courtroom, guilty of many serious crimes. The fine is $500,000 or life in prison. You don’t have any money with which to pay your fine. The guards begin to lead you off to jail. All of a sudden, someone you don’t even know steps in and pays your fine for you. You are free to go. How would that make you feel? That’s what Jesus Christ did for you 2,000 years ago. He paid the penalty for your sins by dying on the cross. He defeated death by rising from the dead three days later. The Bible expresses it like this: <b>“God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For God so loved the world, that He gave us his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).</b> God promises eternal life to those who confess and forsake their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone to save them. Confess your sins to God (name them) and forsake them once and for all. Then place your faith in Jesus. Don’t put it off until tomorrow! You may not have tomorrow. Read your Bible and obey what you read. God will never let you down. Politics, Bleh! November 3rd...if somehow you did not know...I see you under that rock!tag:atheistnexus.org,2009-10-24:2182797:Topic:5681532009-10-24T19:39:07.553ZIt's just Matthttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/MatthewLee
It's that time again...where people stand in line touching a screen, hoping their candidate wins and holds true to his promises. This year's governor election seems to have been covered by national news more than anyone I've been around to witness. If you are not already going, I hope you would check out the links posted and see if anyone makes sense. (BTW, if we have an independent running, can someone post that info? Sadly if there is one he/she does not stand a chance against these 2 'super'…
It's that time again...where people stand in line touching a screen, hoping their candidate wins and holds true to his promises. This year's governor election seems to have been covered by national news more than anyone I've been around to witness. If you are not already going, I hope you would check out the links posted and see if anyone makes sense. (BTW, if we have an independent running, can someone post that info? Sadly if there is one he/she does not stand a chance against these 2 'super' candidates.)<br />
<br />
One seems like a homophobic douche bag with an impossible and illogical ideology...<br />
One seems like he can't make up his mind and lay out specifics( Damn you spine flu!! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ4u6EOj5Os">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ4u6EOj5Os</a>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/video-voter-guide">http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/video-voter-guide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/politics/local_wavy_big_names_help_Gubernatorial_candidates_20091023">http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/politics/local_wavy_big_names_help_Gubernatorial_candidates_20091023</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/10/hrc-endorses-creigh-deeds-for-virginia-governor/">http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/10/hrc-endorses-creigh-deeds-for-virginia-governor/</a><br />
<br />
P.S On a personal note, it pisses me off that McDonnell wants to do some offshore drilling...like that has not shown to cause any damage to our only home... Richard Dawinks will be speaking at UVA on October 16th!!tag:atheistnexus.org,2009-09-18:2182797:Topic:5088672009-09-18T17:20:56.502ZIt's just Matthttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/MatthewLee
Promoting his new book " The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution," He will be speaking at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on October 16th at 4:00 pm.<br />
<br />
Details:<br />
<a href="http://richarddawkins.net/event,360,130-Gilmer-Hall-Auditorium">http://richarddawkins.net/event,360,130-Gilmer-Hall-Auditorium</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.virginia.edu/biology/bioevents.htm">http://www.virginia.edu/biology/bioevents.htm</a><br />
<br />
It is open to the public and seating is first come, first…
Promoting his new book " The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution," He will be speaking at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on October 16th at 4:00 pm.<br />
<br />
Details:<br />
<a href="http://richarddawkins.net/event,360,130-Gilmer-Hall-Auditorium">http://richarddawkins.net/event,360,130-Gilmer-Hall-Auditorium</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.virginia.edu/biology/bioevents.htm">http://www.virginia.edu/biology/bioevents.htm</a><br />
<br />
It is open to the public and seating is first come, first served.<br />
<br />
I am driving from Virginia Beach with 2 passengers and my van will hold 4 more, won't you join us? Email cyberdraco@gmail.com if you want me to pick you up on the way there OR we can meetup/eat/chill before/after the event.<br />
<br />
I hope to see you there! Local Atheist Gatheringtag:atheistnexus.org,2009-07-23:2182797:Topic:4304752009-07-23T15:54:06.102ZAtheistMommyhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/YvetteEdwardsAtheistMommy
FreeSpeech Atheists<br />
Meet With US<br />
August 2nd, 2009 5pm<br />
<br />
Alright, I think maybe this meeting might go a bit better if we hold it at our house. So August 2nd, you are all invited to our house. If you are going to attened, please email me for the address and directions (our house is a bit tricky to find if you don't know the area).<br />
<br />
So please email me (yme77@cox.net) or send me a message or call me at 757-637-8128<br />
<br />
Meeting spot: Our house<br />
Kids welcomed : )…
FreeSpeech Atheists<br />
Meet With US<br />
August 2nd, 2009 5pm<br />
<br />
Alright, I think maybe this meeting might go a bit better if we hold it at our house. So August 2nd, you are all invited to our house. If you are going to attened, please email me for the address and directions (our house is a bit tricky to find if you don't know the area).<br />
<br />
So please email me (yme77@cox.net) or send me a message or call me at 757-637-8128<br />
<br />
Meeting spot: Our house<br />
Kids welcomed : )<br />
<br />
<a href="http://atheistnexus.org/group/FSA">http://atheistnexus.org/group/FSA</a> Congressman Robert J. Wittman...tag:atheistnexus.org,2009-07-23:2182797:Topic:4303202009-07-23T13:12:52.036ZAidenhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Aiden
...is a fucking asshole.<br />
<br />
<i>Thank you for contacting my office to express your concern regarding historical religious inaccuracies in our nation's Capitol Visitor Center. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I value your views on the important issues facing our Commonwealth and the Nation.<br />
<br />
Like you, I believe that the new Capitol Visitor Center needs to incorporate accurate references to our nation's religious history. The Capitol Visitor's Center should exemplify…</i>
...is a fucking asshole.<br />
<br />
<i>Thank you for contacting my office to express your concern regarding historical religious inaccuracies in our nation's Capitol Visitor Center. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I value your views on the important issues facing our Commonwealth and the Nation.<br />
<br />
Like you, I believe that the new Capitol Visitor Center needs to incorporate accurate references to our nation's religious history. The Capitol Visitor's Center should exemplify an accurate illustration and representation of our nation's history and the unifying blend of people that embody the United States. As you may know, alongside 108 other Members of Congress, I signed a letter which was sent to the Architect of the Capitol expressing our concerns regarding the inaccurate and incomplete historical religious content in the Capitol Visitor Center, including omission of the current national motto "In God We Trust", factual inaccuracies regarding Capitol church services, and the exclusion of the reference to "religion, morality, and knowledge" in the Northwest Ordinance.<br />
<br />
In response to this letter the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee agreed to remove the phrase "Our Nation's Motto" from the plaque describing the engraving of E Pluribus Unum and in turn, "In God We Trust" was engraved in stone in a prominent location within the Capitol Visitor Center. The panel describing the engraving now includes the proper recognition of this phrase as our national motto. The Pledge of Allegiance is now engraved in stone in a prominent location within the Capitol Visitor Center.<br />
<br />
Thank you again for sharing your views and opinions with me. Please rest assured, in the 111th Congress I will continue to be a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus and Values Action Team in order to make certain our nation's religious history is made known and correctly documented. I am committed to serving you to the best of my abilities. If I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to call me at (202) 225-4261 or contact me online at: <a href="http://www.wittman.house.gov">www.wittman.house.gov</a>.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Robert J. Wittman<br />
Member of Congress</i><br />
<br />
So he pretends to agree with me by completely disagreeing with me... Advice on dealing with religious familytag:atheistnexus.org,2009-07-17:2182797:Topic:4212082009-07-17T18:52:07.994Zsamhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/sam69
My uncle just passed away and my mother's family is VERY catholic. Out of respect and love for him and my aunt I plan on attending the viewing and funeral. my family knows I don't go to church but that's all they know. I need help in tolerating all the stress from all the catholic BS
My uncle just passed away and my mother's family is VERY catholic. Out of respect and love for him and my aunt I plan on attending the viewing and funeral. my family knows I don't go to church but that's all they know. I need help in tolerating all the stress from all the catholic BS